Petoskey students take on the world ... and win

December 21, 2012

Courtesy photo

Five Petoskey High School students traveled to Lansing for the Canadian-American Security Councils and came away with two top awards.

The security councils is a simulation of the UN Security Council, the African Union, the Arab League and the European Union. Nearly 500 students from 23 schools across the Midwest and Ontario competed in the two-day event as they debated significant world problems.

Rachel Ross, a Petoskey senior, and Connor Ingleson, a sophomore, won top awards for their efforts representing Germany and Slovenia. Both students debated the growing crisis in the Middle East and the worsening situation in West Africa.

Under the direction of club sponsor Lisa Pontoni, the students prepare throughout the fall to take on the role of their assigned country and debate issues from that country's perspective.

"Students get to see the world from a point of view not readily available to the average student,"Pontini said. "By representing different countries and negotiating, compromising and problem-solving with top students from around the region, the students return to PHS with a better understanding of our world."

Also attending the conference from Petoskey High School were: Nick Maragiolgia, Laurel Young, Anne Tsaloff, Rachel Ross and Connor Ingleson.

The Model UN club is now preparing for its next conference in March to take place in Ann Arbor. Thirty-two students from Petoskey High School will participate in that four-day event representing Germany, UK, Slovenia and Finland.